1
as in teaches
to cause to acquire knowledge or skill in some field
spent his military career instructing young pilots
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
as in informs
to give information to
instructed everyone in the use of the new telephone system
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in tells
to issue orders to (someone) by right of authority
the proctors instructed everyone to put their pencils down and hand in their tests
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Examples Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of instructs
The bill instructs the convening of an 11-member council with appointments made by the president and leaders in both parties to include academic experts, researchers, parents, youth representatives and others who are well-versed in social media and online safety.
—
Lisa Hagen, Hartford Courant, 19 Dec. 2024
The tablet also instructs adherents to worship on Mount Gerizim, a holy site for Samaritans, near the modern-day city of Nablus.
—Sarah Ventre, NPR, 16 Dec. 2024
In the hospital, Dexter deduces that Harry’s worsening condition is due to the deadly care of Nurse Mary, whom his father then instructs Dexter to kill.
—Hunter Ingram, Variety, 13 Dec. 2024
When Ethan puts it in his ear his traumatic night begins as the traveler instructs him to clear a carry-on suitcase or there will be hell to pay.
—Pete Hammond, Deadline, 12 Dec. 2024
Alice is sent to the technician room, where the head technician instructs an employee to clean the bot so nobody can find out about the chaos the sim's malfunction created.
—Jordana Comiter, People.com, 10 Dec. 2024
Each face of the dreidel instructs a player to add gelt to the pot or take it from the pot.
—Chris Sims, The Courier-Journal, 3 Dec. 2024
Next, the Astro instructs you to download its companion app and sign in using your Amazon account credentials.
—PCMAG, 21 Nov. 2024
That piece of paper instructs us to pay it forward and boo someone else, all in secret of course.
—Melissa Willets, Parents, 14 Oct. 2024
Lisa Hagen, Hartford Courant, 19 Dec. 2024
The tablet also instructs adherents to worship on Mount Gerizim, a holy site for Samaritans, near the modern-day city of Nablus.
—Sarah Ventre, NPR, 16 Dec. 2024
In the hospital, Dexter deduces that Harry’s worsening condition is due to the deadly care of Nurse Mary, whom his father then instructs Dexter to kill.
—Hunter Ingram, Variety, 13 Dec. 2024
When Ethan puts it in his ear his traumatic night begins as the traveler instructs him to clear a carry-on suitcase or there will be hell to pay.
—Pete Hammond, Deadline, 12 Dec. 2024
Alice is sent to the technician room, where the head technician instructs an employee to clean the bot so nobody can find out about the chaos the sim's malfunction created.
—Jordana Comiter, People.com, 10 Dec. 2024
Each face of the dreidel instructs a player to add gelt to the pot or take it from the pot.
—Chris Sims, The Courier-Journal, 3 Dec. 2024
Next, the Astro instructs you to download its companion app and sign in using your Amazon account credentials.
—PCMAG, 21 Nov. 2024
That piece of paper instructs us to pay it forward and boo someone else, all in secret of course.
—Melissa Willets, Parents, 14 Oct. 2024
Recent Examples of Synonyms for instructs
Verb
-
Fall teaches us the importance of letting go.Jennifer Kamara, Forbes, 26 Dec. 2024
-
No one ever teaches you how to say goodbye as a human or animal uhh my heartstrings.Tom Rogers, Newsweek, 26 Dec. 2024
Verb
-
Rather, his supporters say that Montgomery was the first to understand and demonstrate the physics and control that still informs modern flight.Jake Goodrick, Sacramento Bee, 6 Jan. 2025
-
That’s why another function of the department is to collect information and data, which then informs research and decision-making.Jackie Valley, The Christian Science Monitor, 3 Jan. 2025
Verb
-
By Monica Sager Live News Reporter 10 North Carolina Representative Virginia Foxx fell while walking down the marble staircase outside the House chamber, her communications team tells Newsweek.Dan Perry, Newsweek, 4 Jan. 2025
-
Unrepentant, a new book by Peter Edwards, tells the story of Campbell—now in his 60s—from his violent upbringing and hard-partying ways, to a relentless dedication to the biker lifestyle.Max Ufberg, hazlitt.net, 4 Jan. 2025
Verb
-
To prepare for the cold temperatures, NWS advises residents to exercise caution while traveling, dress appropriately, keep pets indoors as much as possible, and do not use generators or grills inside.Dan Perry, Newsweek, 5 Jan. 2025
-
Because of the storm, the weather service advises that Sunday travel will be difficult, if not impossible.Robert A. Cronkleton, Kansas City Star, 4 Jan. 2025
Verb
-
Advertisement The suit asks the courts to block the law from going into effect.Suhauna Hussain, Los Angeles Times, 5 Jan. 2025
-
Young asks if the potential customer has a corporate sponsor and cites companies including Audible and Bloomberg as clients.David Folkenflik, NPR, 5 Jan. 2025
Verb
-
While luxury skincare often commands higher price points, affordability and inclusivity are becoming key factors in building a sustainable brand.Lara Devgan, Forbes, 30 Dec. 2024
-
Suzuki’s cars took off, and today the company’s Indian subsidiary commands around 40 percent of the country’s passenger car market.River Akira Davis, New York Times, 27 Dec. 2024
Verb
-
How that team leader directs their colleagues is crucial to success.Don Yaeger, Forbes, 6 Jan. 2025
-
The order directs state agencies to recommend potential actions that could help limit the harm associated with these products.Sharon Udasin, The Hill, 3 Jan. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near instructs
Cite this Entry
“Instructs.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/instructs. Accessed 22 Jan. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share